Product Description

Produced in China, you will find no finer swords crafted for the practitioners and aficionados of the European Sword

DESCRIPTION:

The blade geometry is hexagonal with a complex distal taper for rigidity in the cut. The edge is a well-tuned Appleseed geometry, providing enough steel behind the edge for durability while allowing for smooth cutting of softer targets. Most anyone can touch up the edge using a leather strop and a steady hand. Individually made by Gus himself, these swords will be available in limited quantities.(Photo colors may not match the actual colors)

Special Note:

The sword is handcrafted from 5160 spring steel, this amazing sword was designed specifically to practice for the HEMA longsword cutting competition. A modern interpretation consistent with creative and functional principles of the finest medieval and Renaissance swords, this unique longsword features a well-tuned edge, ideal for maintaining durability and smooth cutting of softer targets. The hilt, handle, and the pommel is easily removable, ideal for custom projects. Should any pieces come loose from use, this sword is designed with a screw in pommel nut that can be easily tightened should the need arise.

More Details

The Art of Medieval Style Sword Making

The forging of a European / Medieval sword is a subtle and careful process, an art that has developed over the centuries as much in response to stylistic and aesthetic considerations as to technical improvements.

There was a smith to forge the rough shape, often a second smith (apprentice) to fold the metal, a specialist polisher, and even a specialist for the edge itself. Before the blacksmith or swordsmith actually starts hammering or heating the metal for a sword there is a lot of work to be done. The sword size, shape, properties, and metal composition all have to be decided upon. These factors determine the amount of metal, the temperatures of heating and the specific steps in the process that have to be completed.

Blades were often forged with different profiles, different blade thicknesses, and varying amounts of grind. Some blades were made of a laminate construction, produced by folding the steel over and over then forge welding at each fold (resulting in layers). In this lamination method to refine and make the steel more homogenous, it was folded and forges welded. The swordsmith had to fold the bar of metal, resulting in a doubling of the layers and in the process blending the qualities of the various pieces of steel in the billet. The more the steel was folded the more homogeneous the metal in the blade became. The number of folds would be determined by both the material and the final qualities the smith was looking for. One other way to combine smaller amounts of better steel into a larger useable billet was to create a piled structure where a few bars of refined steel were stacked together then welded as one and forged out into a blade shape without any further folding. But swords made by whatever means consisted essentially of careful combinations of softer iron with harder steel. There are many different methods for making a sword and the art has changed over the centuries as technologies, tools and the science of metallurgy has changed. But for the past five hundred years, there has been one method that still stands as the most common.

Today, swords are still being made by modern artisans; some pursue the traditional methods while others apply modern tools, techniques, and materials to the craft. A great number of commercially available swords are being made in China with modern tools and materials employing traditional methods. Let's remember that steel-making was imported into Europe from China, via Korea. The steel used in the Chinese swords, called "chi-kang" (combined steel), was similar to pattern welding, and edges of it were often forge-welded to a back of the soft iron, or "jou thieh." In trying to copy the Chinese method, the European smiths paid much attention to the various properties of steel and worked to combine them to produce an internal macro-structure that would provide a similar combination of hardness and toughness.

About Kingston Arms

RDMS Store presents the Kingston Arms, a premium line of classic European arms and armor from one of the world's leading manufacturers and distributors of fine cutlery. Historical, reliable, durable and authentic reproductions of history's finest pieces. Several series are planned from the currently available Tourney series of blunt reenactment and stage swords and the sharp Crecy War Sword to several sharp swords designed by a well known US swordsmith. We also have several swords in the works developed specifically for HEMA practitioners, both sparring blunts and sharp cutting swords.

Kingston Arms are made to period-accurate specifications from pommel to tip and all in between. Re-enactment, Stage Combat and HEMA Sparring Swords though are our specialties! Featuring innovations such as the King-Peen system and tough through-hardened spring steel blades these swords last years of use under the most demanding conditions.

WE DO NOT SELL WEAPONS TO ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN. THESE ARE REAL WEAPONS AND AS SUCH THEY ARE VERY SHARP AND SHOULD ALWAYS BE TREATED WITH CARE. BE CAREFUL TO NEVER PUT YOURSELF OR ANYONE ELSE IN DANGER. RED DOT MARKETING SOLUTIONS, LLC d/b/a RDMS, ITS EMPLOYEES AND ASSOCIATED COMPANIES ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURY, DAMAGE, OR LOSS INCURRED BY USE OR MISUSE OF ANY MERCHANDISE SOLD ON THIS SITE. IT IS THE PURCHASERS' RESPONSIBILITY TO COMPLY WITH LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS AND/OR STATUTES. PURCHASE OF MERCHANDISE IMPLIES AGREEMENT AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE ABOVE.